Skip the $150 Surf Lodge Chicken Tenders—Make These Instead
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Photo by Ty Mecham
Perched on the Montauk waterfront, The Surf Lodge is known for sunset DJ sets, celebrity sightings, and—most recently—its now-viral $150 chicken tenders. Yes, you read that right. Not $15. Not even $90 (which is what they cost a few years ago). One hundred and fifty American dollars (after tax and tip) for chicken and fries.
The dish in question comes stacked high like a seafood tower: three levels of crispy tenders, golden fries, and a rainbow of sauces. Some swear they’re the best they’ve ever had. Others say they taste the same as the ones from the freezer aisle. I haven’t tried them myself (unless you count scrolling past them on TikTok), but the internet is certainly full of opinions—and attacks.
That hasn’t stopped the buzz. Recently, mega-influencer Alix Earle hosted a party there for her canned margarita collab, and Nylon magazine currently has a summer residency at the restaurant. It's less of a quiet meal and more of a full-on scene.
And while I’m all for a little indulgence now and then, I draw the line at a price over $20 or gilding nuggets with truffle shavings and caviar. Thankfully, these don’t appear to have the latter. But, in the spirit of enjoying crispy, golden goodness without blowing your weekly paycheck, we rounded up a few homemade chicken tender and fry recipes that just might give the Surf Lodge a run for its money. Bonus: You don’t need a VIP table to enjoy them.
The Recipes
Crispy, salty, and sweet—like a mall snack gone fancy.
Food | Recipes
A bold twist with Thai flavors and crunchy shallot vibes.
Food | Recipes
Tangy, spicy, and made for dipping—no ranch shaming here.
Food | Recipes
Featured Video
These taste just like the real deal and skip the deep fryer mess.
Food | Recipes
For when you want all the crunch without the grains or grease.
Food | Recipes
A little sweet, a little salty, and perfect with a dusting of flaky sea salt.
Food | Recipes
A cozy twist with just the right amount of zing.
Food | Recipes
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